Blues make Hoffman healthy scratch vs. Ducks
The St. Louis Blues made forward Mike Hoffman a healthy scratch for Sunday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Blues head coach Craig Berube confirmed postgame.
"I just want more out of him," Berube said, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford. "I just made a decision to not play him. ... That's basically what it boils down to.
"I need more effort and competitiveness from him. He hasn't scored in 10 games."
Hoffman, whom the Blues signed to a one-year, $4-million contract on the eve of this season, has been held pointless over his last five games, and he's collected only one goal and one assist in his last 10.
The 31-year-old is averaging just 15:24 of ice time per game in 2021, which would be his lowest since 2014-15 if he sustains that pace for the duration of the campaign.
Hoffman has posted a goals for percentage of 50, but an expected goals percentage of only 43.43 this season, according to Natural Stat Trick.
The veteran winger has produced eight goals and 12 assists across 33 games in 2021.